Read sermons by Pastor Mark Wilbanks and other church news

Tis the Season

Traffic is heavy. The malls are full. The seasonal marketing is overwhelming. Every charitable organization is seeking year-end donations. The calendar is filling up. Yep, it’s the holidays

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you were able to enjoy family and friends or for some of you, endure family and friends. Someone has said that their favorite Christmas lights are taillights – the ones belonging to your relatives.

First, a word of appreciation and congratulations:

With the able, passionate leadership of Joel Mills and his staff, our annual Operation Christmas Child project has reached new heights. Over 300 shoe boxes will soon be on their way to children across the world. For every person and household who donated, you will make a difference in the life of a child. Most importantly, that child will hear the story of the true meaning of Christmas.

Our “Press On” stewardship emphasis was highlighted this past Sunday as commitments were registered. We have made a good start in determining the level of support for our ministries and mission support. If you have not turned in your pledge card, take care of that as soon as you can.

Advent begins this Sunday. As we collectively and individually prepare for Christmas, please consider these things:

With so much being asked of you to contribute to worthy causes, remember our commitment to support the Global Mission Offering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The gifts received assist mission personnel in difficult places around the globe. Some of those field personnel cannot even be identified because of the sensitivity of the work they perform. Our greatest gift to them is our prayers, but we can easily meet our church goal of $15,000 as we each participate.

“Joyous Toys” gifts will be received at the church until December 5th. Bins have been placed around the church for your convenience. Sponsored by Buckhead Christian Ministry, this is a wonderful way to help children in Atlanta have a nice Christmas.

Be intentional as you plan your Christmas. I know you cannot support every good cause, but this is a great time to teach and model how blessed people serve others. Most of us don’t need more ‘’stuff” but we can get really creative in helping others.

Don’t let someone else dictate how you will experience Christmas. With all the concern about not offending someone who doesn’t believe in Christ or celebrate His birth, we can still be gracious and dedicated to share the story of God’s love through His Son. Remember that the origin of “holidays” is “holy days.” Merry Christmas, indeed!

Please take a look at the December calendar and participate in your church’s events. Through weekly Bible study and worship services as well as the special activities, this is a wonderful month at Wieuca!

Share this:

Like this:

Related

About Mark Wilbanks

Dr. Wilbanks became Wieuca’s fifth senior pastor in February of 2012. Mark’s father, Oliver Wilbanks, served as Associate Pastor here from 1966 to 1982. Wieuca had a tremendous influence in shaping Mark’s call to ministry during his teenage and young adult years. A graduate of both Southern and New Orleans Baptist Theological seminaries, Mark has served churches in Kentucky, Florida, and Georgia. He pastored Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida for 17 years and Bradfordville First Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida for ten years. He and his wife, Kim, were married in 1979 and have two sons, Andy and Jordan. Andy is married to Lindsay and they have a son, Cade, a daughter, Ruthie, and welcomed their third child, Samuel, in October.